[ScreamingTaco]

I just finished my second tank. 17.5mpg on 87 octane... winter blend.

I'm now topped off with 91 octane to see what kind of difference it makes.

I find the engine runs a little smother and seems to have more pep, but it could all be mental too.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

I dont know if its the drive by wire crap that makes the rpms hang up or what, but whenever i try to shift into a higher gear at less than 2500 rpm, the trans either clunks or takes a lot of effort to get to the next gear

The drive by wire holds the RPM for awhile. It's an emissions thing to keep you from dumping raw fuel into the cats.

I find it shifts smoother if I don't push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor... just far enough to disengage and shift.

If you follow the shift points in the manual most of your shifts will be well under 2500rpm (most are near 2000rpm I think). They seem to work well and they definatly help with the fuel ecconomy.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

Most of the problems I've read about have been regarding jerky shifting... ie, it seems that the computer holds the RPM up to clear the fuel out, then drops the RPM as people are letting the clutch out so that you get that momentary "I'm a retard you can't drive stick" effect going on.

So far I've seen nothing about laboured shifting and/or people having a hard time getting it into gear, but it kinda sounds like your syncro-mesh is binding going into third.

I'd try shifting using the manual's recommend shift points for a few days and see what happens. A few days ought to give the computer time to start learning how you drive at the lower RPMs. Then if you still have problems take it in and have them ride along.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

Aren't the shift points around 2500rpm's or something around there?

Basically, when normally accelerating you want to shift around 2200 or so, and when cruising you want your RPM between 800rpm and 1700rpm.

--------Accel---Cruise

1 gear - 2200 - 1500
2 gear - 2200 - 1300*
3 gear - 2100 - 1500
4 gear - 2000 - 1700
5 gear - 1900 - 1700
6 gear - N/A

It took me awhile to get used to this because I was used to a 2.2L 4 speed that I'd rev to 3000 while accerating and cruise above 2000rpm, but it really does drive like this.


* Don't ask... I checked it three times and that's what it worked out to.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

Where did you "work that out" from? I didn't see a chart like that in the manual.

Page 176 has the "Recommended Shifting Speeds". The 6speed is listed on pg 177. They only give recommended speeds, but I converted them to RPM courtasy of a back road and a few minutes of my time (I'm on vacation and getting a little bored).

Acceleration

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               20 (13)             2200

2 to 3               38 (24)             2200

3 to 4               53 (33)             2100

4 to 5               65 (41)             2000

5 to 6               75 (47)             1900
 
Cruise

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               12 (8)              1500

2 to 3               22 (14)             1300

3 to 4               40 (25)             1500

4 to 5               54 (34)             1700

5 to 6               65 (41)             1700

They also have high altitude shifting speeds (4000ft+)...

Acceleration

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               24 (15)             2700

2 to 3               40 (25)             2300

3 to 4               64 (40)             2500

4 to 5               72 (45)             2300

5 to 6               80 (50)             2100
 
Cruise

Same as acceleration.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

As for the shift point chart that was posted, who can actually stand shifting under 2g's? Its gotta be annoying shifting 6 times and only be going 40 mph.

I usually shift around 2200-2300rpm.... when I'm jamming all six gears I feel like I'm driving a big-rig.